Juvenile Firesetting: A National Epidemic

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The difference between a fire that is warm and friendly and one that is ferociously hot and destructive is size. A small fire in a campsite can take the edge off the cool night air, and a raging forest fire can destroy a thousand acres in a few hours. Fire has been one of our most important tools on our journey from the beginning of time to the present day. It also poses a severe threat to mankind if it is not controlled. Children often experiment with fire. Any time a child starts a fire he endangers himself and the people around him. Juvenile arson happens on a routine basis, and has very outreaching consequences. Fires statistics reported by fire departments in 2003, show that children started approximately forty-two thousand fires, causing an estimated one-hundred sixty-five civilian deaths, nineteen hundred civilian injuries and two-hundred seventy-two million dollars in direct property damage (United States Fire Administration, 2004). The price that society pays for juvenile-set fires is extremely high. Tragically, the lives of the very children setting the fires account for most of the lives that are lost.
Children are naturally curious about fire. In the course of their childhood almost every child will experiment with fire at some point. Although curiosity is a primary motivation for younger children, it should be noted that curiosity can also be a reason why older teens set fires. Whether or not a child actually sets fires depends on a variety of factors, including their exposure to fire and the availability of fire supplies. Although some children who set fires are unaware of the potentially tragic consequences of their actions and are simply curious, others are fully aware of the ramifications of their actions and p...

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...d by the mental health provider and incorporated into the treatment plan.
Juvenile firesetting is extremely dangerous and should not be dismissed as a phase or simple curiosity. It should not be ignored; left alone it may cause severe property damage or even loss of life. Early recognition and treatment of firesetting can help prevent tragedies in the future. While curiosity about fire is common, some children light fires for other reasons. A change or crisis such as a move, death or divorce may result in firesetting. This behavior can be the child's way of acting out fear or anxiety. Some children set fires to get attention or to oppose authority. Other behaviors in addition to firesetting may reflect more serious emotional problems and require the services of community mental health professionals. Proper intervention and treatment can help juveniles who set fires.

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